- Elf-help culture envelops Hinckley-based Cadent in the run up to Christmas
- Santa’s helpers make Alzheimer’s Society’s coffers jingle
- Elf Day, a games day and a fundraising stall net just under £4,000 for those affected by dementia
It’s not just elf bells that are jingling this Christmas – thanks to the efforts of big-hearted fundraisers at Hinckley-based gas network Cadent, the Alzheimer’s Society’s coffers are ringing to the sound of charity cash.
In the run-up to Christmas, staff at the company’s Brick Kiln Street site in Hinckley have raised just shy of £4,000 for people with dementia and their families.
To get the festive fundraising bauble rolling, Cadent made a £10,000 donation to the Alzheimer’s Society, which has been the company’s official charity since it was launched in 2017.
Hinckley staff were quick to pick up the fundraising baton. For the second year running, employees donned the garb of Santa’s helpers to celebrate Alzheimer’s Society’s annual Elf Day. Charity donations and an ‘Elfie Selfie Station’, where suitably attired staff could snap fun photos of the occasion, saw the cash total mount up.
A yuletide hamper raffle, a festive bake sale and a sale of Christmas Eve activity boxes helped to further swell the charity coffers. And a games day competition, featuring old favourites such as quoits and bowls, topped off employees’ festive fundraising efforts.
Helen Whittington, Alzheimer’s Society Services Manager for Leicestershire and Rutland said: “I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Cadent for their support. Elf Day is fantastic fun but there’s a serious side to it as dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes.
“We need to fund research into finding a cure, as well as services that help people affected by the condition to live well, with the support and care they deserve.Unfortunately, too many are facing dementia alone without adequate support. That is why we urgently need to find a cure, improve care and offer help and understanding for people affected. Fundraising activities like Elf Day help us towards that goal.”
In addition to its fundraising efforts Cadent has also pledged to become a dementia friendly utility and in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society it has been delivering Dementia Friends training sessions to staff at all levels. This helps ensure that all aspects of Cadent’s operations help support both those with dementia and those caring for someone who has dementia, especially poignant over the winter period which sees increasing calls from the public to Cadent.
Those with dementia may also be able to enjoy Christmas dinner at home thanks to Cadent’s ongoing provision of free lockable cooker valves. These enable carers to isolate the gas supply to cookers when they are not there.
Cadent Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor Laura Barnes explained: “Dementia is a year round challenge. However at Christmas – a time of the year associated with celebrations and happy memories – it can be especially hard.”
She added: “With the colder weather it’s a very busy time for Cadent operationally and with engineers out and about responding to calls they may come into contact with people affected by dementia. Our ongoing partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, participation in Elf Day, provision of lockable cooker valves and Dementia Friends training will hopefully go some way to ensure that those affected by Alzheimer’s enjoy a little Christmas cheer too.”
For more information on Cadent’s work with the Alzheimer’s Society visit
https://cadentgas.com/about-us/responsibility/corporate-social-responsibility. For more on lockable cooker valves and how to apply for one visit
https://cadentgas.com/help-advice/supporting-our-customers/locking-cooker-valves
For more on the Alzheimer’s Society visit
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
- The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a FREE service to help people who are living in vulnerable situations. Especially those who have extra communication, access or safety needs. For more information or to let Cadent know if you are concerned about a gas user who may be in vulnerable situation call 0345 835 1111, more information on the PSR can also be found at https://cadentgas.com/help-advice/supporting-our-customers/priority-services-register
ENDS
‘Elfless gesture – pictured left to right: Tina Hollingworth, David Reason, Amy Tate, Annette Simpson, Hannah Ward
Pictured left to right: Linda Hartlett, David Reason, Amy Tate